Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been used as durable water repellent (DWR) coatings on outdoor clothing, rainwear, sportswear, and equipment since the 1990s. The original long-chain PFAS (PFOA and PFOS) have been largely phased out due to regulatory restrictions, but shorter-chain PFAS replacements — including C6 fluorotelomer-based DWRs — continue to be used widely despite similar environmental persistence and emerging toxicological concerns. PFAS leach from clothing into wash water and skin during use, and persist indefinitely in the environment.
Where it's found
Waterproof and water-resistant outdoor clothing — walking trousers, ski jackets, shell jackets, cagoules, and hiking gear. Waterproof footwear and boot treatments. Performance sportswear with stain- and moisture-resistance. Tents, sleeping bags, and outdoor equipment. Upholstered furniture with stain-resistance treatments. School bags and luggage with waterproofing. Carpets treated for stain resistance. The DWR coating washes off over time, both reducing waterproofing performance and entering the water supply.
Routes of exposure
Skin contact with PFAS-coated clothing during prolonged use, particularly when exercising and sweating. Laundry effluent from washing PFAS-coated garments is a major route by which PFAS enter waterways and eventually drinking water. Inhalation during high-temperature tumble drying or ironing of PFAS-coated garments. Children mouthing PFAS-treated backpacks or outdoor clothing. Drinking water contaminated by PFAS from textile washing is increasingly documented. Ingestion of household dust containing PFAS from treated textiles and furnishings.
Health concerns
PFAS are the same family of "forever chemicals" documented extensively in drinking water and food packaging contexts. Health effects documented from higher-exposure studies include immunotoxicity (reduced vaccine response), thyroid disruption, liver damage, elevated cholesterol, kidney cancer, testicular cancer, and reproductive impairment. Clothing-specific PFAS exposure levels are lower than from drinking water contamination, but represent an additional contribution to cumulative body burden. The persistence and bioaccumulation of PFAS mean every source contributes to lifetime exposure.
Evidence
The evidence base for PFAS health effects generally is strong (see main PFAS entry). The specific contribution of clothing-derived PFAS to overall body burden is less well quantified than dietary and drinking water routes, but is established as real and measurable. Studies of textile workers show elevated PFAS blood levels. Consumer clothing-derived exposure is confirmed by detection of textile-specific PFAS markers in human populations. The precautionary and environmental arguments for PFAS elimination from textiles are particularly strong given persistence.
Who's most at risk
Outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and winter sports participants who frequently wear high-performance PFAS-coated clothing for extended periods have the highest dermal exposure. Children who wear waterproof PFAS-coated rainwear and school bags for long periods are a concern. Textile workers in DWR application processes face occupational exposure. Communities downstream of textile manufacturing facilities using PFAS-based DWR have water contamination concerns. Aquatic environments near textile manufacturing and laundry operations show elevated PFAS levels.
Regulatory status
RegulationLong-chain PFAS (PFOA and PFOS) are restricted under the EU POP Regulation and UK equivalent. Short-chain C6 PFAS used in current DWR coatings are under active regulatory review — the EU is pursuing a universal PFAS restriction under REACH that would cover virtually all PFAS in textiles. Several major outdoor clothing brands (Patagonia, Arc'teryx, Norrona, Houdini) have committed to eliminating PFAS from all products, some by 2024–2025. The EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles (2022) commits to phasing out hazardous chemicals including PFAS.
How to reduce your exposure
Choose outdoor clothing from brands that have eliminated PFAS from their DWR treatments — non-fluorinated DWR alternatives (wax-based, silicone-based, PFC-free polyurethane) are now available and perform adequately for most recreational uses. Wash PFAS-coated garments less frequently and at lower temperatures to reduce leaching. Do not tumble-dry or iron PFAS-coated items at high temperatures. Re-waterproof using a non-PFAS DWR spray or wash-in product when original coating wears off. For children's rainwear, choose brands using non-fluorinated alternatives.
The nutrition connection
The outdoor clothing industry's PFAS use is a vivid example of how performance and convenience features in consumer products can carry hidden chemical costs — both for the individual and for aquatic environments globally. The growing availability of PFAS-free alternatives for outdoor clothing shows that performance does not require forever chemicals. This mirrors Nutriofia's message about food: ultra-processed food is not superior to whole food in any meaningful nutritional way despite being engineered for performance (palatability, shelf life, convenience). In both cases, the simpler, more natural approach is both safer and adequate to the purpose.